Senate panel to consider measures on sex and murder

WHO: Sen. Rick Jones, R-Grand Ledge, chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee; other members of the committee; and interested parties.

WHAT: Committee hearing on Senate Bills 596 and 755 that would make it a crime for a teacher or administrator to have sex with a student at school. The panel will also take up SB 726 that would increase the statute of limitations for the crimes of kidnapping, attempted murder and manslaughter from 10 years to 20 years.

WHEN: Tuesday, Oct. 18 2:30 p.m.

WHERE: Farnum Building Room 110 125 W. Allegan St.

BRIEF: The issue behind SB 755, sponsored by Jones, and SB 596, sponsored by Sen. Roger Kahn, R-Saginaw, was brought to the senators by local area prosecutors. A current loophole in the law allows for a teacher to have sex with a student of or over the age of 18 without it being a crime.

Jones introduced SB 726 after Ingham County Prosecutor Stuart Dunnings III brought to his attention an East Lansing case in which a young man died during a physical altercation 11 years ago. The case went unsolved until earlier this year, when information was brought forth that would have resulted in a manslaughter charge against the perpetrator. However, due to the current statute of limitations for manslaughter the family of the young man will not see justice served.